Earth Science: Weather and Ocean Currents
51 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What primarily determines the variations in temperature across different latitudes?

  • The angle of the sun and thickness of atmosphere (correct)
  • The distance from the poles
  • The presence of ocean currents
  • The density of land and water

Why does land heat up and cool down faster than water?

  • Tides and currents distribute heat in water
  • Water releases heat energy more slowly (correct)
  • Land has a lower density than water
  • Water can penetrate sunlight deeper

What aspect of the Earth's rotation contributes to the Coriolis effect?

  • The linear speed at the equator (correct)
  • The tilt of the Earth's axis
  • The distance from the equator
  • The gravitational pull from the moon

What is the function of ocean gyres in relation to the atmosphere?

<p>They transport heat and interact indirectly with the atmosphere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the ocean conveyor belt process?

<p>Melting glaciers mixing with ocean water (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor affects the generation of hurricanes in relation to distance from the equator?

<p>Increased Coriolis effect (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in relation to ambient heat energy?

<p>It retains warmth and releases it slowly (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do tides and currents affect the distribution of heat in the ocean?

<p>They spread heat evenly over greater depths and areas (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of weathering is more predominant on south-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere due to increased temperature changes?

<p>Physical weathering (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does water availability affect the stability of soil on a slope?

<p>Water increases the cohesion of soil particles. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing slope processes?

<p>Human activity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes soil to appear brown, according to the information provided?

<p>Rusting of iron (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what scenarios are larger soil particles more resistant to erosion?

<p>In dry and windy conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that the North Atlantic is warmer than the North Pacific?

<p>Higher evaporation rates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the movement of water in the ocean gyre?

<p>It travels clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does urbanization have on local moisture levels?

<p>Decreases moisture due to low vegetation levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes convectional rainfall to occur?

<p>Air being forced to rise due to temperature differences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that affects the evaporation rate of water?

<p>Initial humidity levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon causes intense rainfall in areas affected by El Niño?

<p>Stagnant currents leading to moisture accumulation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary component of the Earth is categorized as a solid due to immense pressure?

<p>Inner core (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which geological structure rides atop the liquefied mantle?

<p>Lithosphere (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes the transition of water vapor into liquid water?

<p>Condensation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence temperature in coastal areas?

<p>Type of soil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do warm ocean currents have on polar regions?

<p>Raise temperatures in polar areas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant human impact on global climate?

<p>Enhanced greenhouse effect. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the rainshadow effect?

<p>Mountain elevation and wind patterns. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do jet streams influence weather patterns?

<p>By affecting air pressure systems. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way in which water contributes to chemical weathering?

<p>By breaking down rocks through chemical reactions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of chemical weathering involves the formation of a weak acid?

<p>Carbonation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does vegetation influence the weathering process?

<p>By increasing root pressure which physically alters rock structures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the factors affecting weathering rates is true?

<p>Increased moisture generally increases chemical weathering (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do steep slopes have on weathering processes?

<p>They may hinder weathering by rapidly draining water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of sedimentary rocks impacts their susceptibility to chemical weathering?

<p>The types of cementing materials within them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which weathering process specifically alters the chemical composition of rocks?

<p>Hydrolysis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which situation is likely to result in increased chemical weathering?

<p>Moderate temperatures with adequate moisture (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a type of chemical weathering?

<p>Erosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do bedding planes and joints play in the weathering process?

<p>They contribute to the physical breakdown of rocks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at convergent boundaries?

<p>Destruction and subduction of at least one plate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method contributes to the movement of tectonic plates through friction?

<p>Convection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the formation of violent volcanoes at convergent boundaries?

<p>Trapped pressure from the benioff zone. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes divergent boundaries?

<p>Creation of new plates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are hot spots evidence for plate movement?

<p>They remain stationary while tectonic plates move over them. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rock weathering involves the physical breaking down of rocks due to temperature changes?

<p>Physical (Mechanical) weathering (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process is described by the formation of mountains when two tectonic plates with similar densities collide?

<p>Tectonic uplift (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering is primarily driven by the presence of water?

<p>Chemical weathering (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is created by sea floor spreading when two tectonic plates move away from each other?

<p>Ocean ridges (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the weathering process called freeze-thaw, what occurs due to the expansion of freezing water?

<p>Cracks in rocks become larger. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of pressure release in physical weathering?

<p>Expansion and contraction leading to exfoliation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which tectonic process does the denser oceanic plate subduct beneath a continental plate?

<p>Convergent boundary (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of boundary involves tectonic plates sliding past one another?

<p>Transform boundary (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What results from the process of weathering in the natural environment?

<p>Breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Coriolis Effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects (like wind) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, caused by Earth's rotation.

Latitude's effect on temperature

Latitude is the most significant factor affecting temperature because it determines the amount of sunlight an area receives, which relates to the angle and thickness of the atmosphere.

Land vs. Water Heat Capacity

Land heats and cools much faster than water due to its lower heat capacity. Water retains heat longer due its high heat capacity.

Ocean Currents

Surface currents are driven by wind, resulting in circular patterns called gyres. Deep currents are primarily driven by temperature and salinity differences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ocean Conveyor Belt

A global system of interconnected ocean currents that distribute heat around the globe.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gyres

Circular ocean currents driven by prevailing winds and landmasses.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Temperature Variation factors

Factors such as latitude, solar angle, atmospheric thickness, land distribution, and ocean distribution impact temperature differences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ocean Conveyor Belt Mechanism

Cold, salty water from polar regions sinks, flows towards the equator, and rises in warmer regions, creating a continuous cycle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

North Atlantic Ocean Temperature

Warmer than the North Pacific, causing more evaporation, denser water that sinks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ocean Circulation

Global movement of water, driven by temperature differences and salinity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Warm Ocean Currents

Transfer heat from equator to poles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cold Ocean Currents

Lower temperatures in the surrounding areas.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ocean Gyres

Large, circular ocean currents.

Signup and view all the flashcards

General Circulation Model

Model of large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

El Niño

Climate pattern causing warm water to move in the Pacific.

Signup and view all the flashcards

La Niña

Opposite of El Niño, with cooler water in the Pacific.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Jet Streams

High-altitude, fast wind currents in the atmosphere.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dew Point

Temperature at which air cools to cause water vapor to condense.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Latent Heat Transfer

Transfer of heat during phase changes (evaporation, condensation).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Evaporation

Process of liquid water turning into water vapor.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Condensation

Process of water vapor turning into liquid water.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Urban Heat Island Effect

Cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hadley Cell

A pattern of atmospheric circulation where warm air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks back down at 30 degrees latitude, creating a cycle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Convergent Boundary

Where two tectonic plates collide, resulting in the destruction of at least one plate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subduction Zone

The process where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, causing the denser plate to descend into the mantle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Benioff Zone

A zone of earthquake foci located under the continental plate, associated with the subduction of an oceanic plate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Volcano Formation at Convergent Boundaries

Volcanic eruptions are common at convergent boundaries because the subducting plate melts and rises as magma, eventually erupting at the surface.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Divergent Boundary

Where two tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Conservative Boundary

Where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Convection Theory of Plate Tectonics

The theory that the movement of hot magma in the mantle drives the movement of tectonic plates.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dragging Theory of Plate Tectonics

The theory that the weight of the denser, cooler end of a plate pulls the lighter end, causing plate movement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hot Spot

A region of volcanic activity caused by a plume of hot magma rising from the mantle, independent of plate boundaries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shield Volcano

A large, gently sloping volcano formed by the accumulation of fluid lava flows.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Seafloor Spreading

The process where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as magma rises and solidifies

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ocean Ridges

Underwater mountain ranges created by seafloor spreading, marking the boundaries where plates diverge.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Trenches

Deep depressions in the ocean floor formed by the subduction of one plate beneath another.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fold Mountain Formation

Where two plates with similar densities collide, causing the crust to buckle and fold, creating mountains.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chemical Weathering Benefits

Chemical weathering is most effective below the surface due to stable temperatures and water's ability to absorb acids.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Carbonation: How rocks get dissolved

Carbon dioxide in water forms carbonic acid, which can break down rocks like limestone containing calcium carbonate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hydrolysis: Breaking down rocks with water

Water molecules break apart the chemical structures of rocks, changing their composition and leaving behind a different rock.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hydration: Water expands rocks

Minerals in rocks absorb water, expanding and changing the rock's structure.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Temperature Variation and Weathering

Greater temperature variations lead to faster physical weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Heat and Water: Chemical Weathering Boost

Increased heat and water accelerate chemical weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rock Type: Chemical Composition

Different rock types have different chemical compositions, which affect their reactivity to weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rock Structure: Joints and Bedding Planes

The number and size of joints and bedding planes influence how easily rocks break apart.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Vegetation's Role in Weathering

Roots, acidity, and soil type influence weathering, with healthy soil promoting vegetation and increasing weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Slope's Influence on Weathering

Steep slopes promote faster weathering because weathered material is removed quickly, while flat surfaces weather more slowly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Slope Processes

Changes that occur on a slanted surface, affected by factors like climate, geological structures, and soil type. These processes can involve erosion, deposition, and weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Soil's Role in Slopes

Different soil types influence how slopes behave. Larger soil particles resist erosion by wind and rain, while soil aggregates help hold water and prevent erosion.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Slope Aspect

The direction a slope faces (e.g., north, south). This affects the amount of sunlight received, influencing temperature and weathering.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Water's Influence on Slopes

Water plays a vital role in slope processes. It can bind soil together, but too much water can lead to erosion and landslides.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Weathering on Slopes

The breakdown of rocks and minerals on a slope. Physical weathering (e.g., temperature changes) and chemical weathering (e.g., rusting) are influenced by slope aspect and other factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Coriolis Effect

  • Distance energy from sun travels through atmosphere is greater at poles than equator
  • Atmosphere at equator rotates faster than at poles
  • This difference in speed causes winds to curve as they travel
  • The further from the equator, the more noticeable the curving effect
  • This causes hurricanes to rotate in different directions depending on lattitude

Explaining Variations in Temperature, Pressure, and Winds

  • Latitude greatly influences temperature by affecting the amount of insulation received
  • Land heats and cools faster than water due to differences in density
  • Water heats and cools more slowly due to density and heat capacity

Ocean Conveyor Belts

  • The ocean conveyor belt is a global network of currents moving water and heat
  • Cold, salty water sinks at the poles and moves toward the equator
  • This cyclical movement helps distribute heat globally
  • Important Points:
    • Does not exist at the surface
    • It has an engine
    • Its depth changes with temperature
    • It moves slowly (a complete cycle takes 1000 years)

Other Information

  • Gyres are circular ocean currents driven by prevailing winds
  • Distance from sea affects temperature; water heats and cools slower than land
  • General Circulation Model: Meridional flow (north-south), El Niño (warm currents), La Niña (opposite conditions cause dry season in south America), Jet streams (rivers of fast moving air, not connected to earth),
  • Atmospheric moisture and processes: Dew point, latent heat transfer and evaporation

Rain

  • Three main types of rainfall: Convectional, Frontal, Relief
    • Convectional: Warmer air rises, cools, condenses, forming clouds, and rain.
    • Frontal: Two different air masses meet, causing warm air to rise over cooler air and form clouds then rain.
    • Relief/topographic: Air is forced upward by a mountain, cooling and condensing to form rain on the windward side.

Rocks and Weathering

  • Inner core of the planet is hot, but massive pressure keeps it solid
  • Structure of the planet: Outer core (liquid), mantle, crust

Plate Tectonics

  • Plates on top of the liquid mantle
  • Current in the mantle move the plates
  • Divergent plate boundary: Plates move apart which builds a new plate
  • Convergent plate boundary: plates move towards each other causing one to subduct and the other to rise
  • Conservative plate boundary: plates slide past each other
  • Theories on plate tectonics:
    • Convection : Friction between moving magma below and crust above cause the crust to move with the mantle.
  • Hotspots: Area of lava plumes that can reach the surface forming volcanoes; no plate boundaries

Slope Processes

  • Slope stability is affected by water availability
  • Climate is a factor in determining slope processes
  • Different types of soil have different weathering patterns
  • Aspects are aspects of a slope such as aspect, vegetation etc.

Chemical Weathering

  • Water travelling through soil absorbs acids which can breakdown certain types of rock
  • Different types of rock, different amounts of weathering

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Physical Geo Notes Term 2 PDF

Description

Explore the intricate relationships between temperature, pressure, winds, and ocean currents in this quiz. Understand the Coriolis Effect, the ocean conveyor belt, and how latitude influences climatic variations. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact globally.

More Like This

Ocean Currents and Global Circulation Quiz
15 questions

Ocean Currents and Global Circulation Quiz

ResplendentBlackTourmaline avatar
ResplendentBlackTourmaline
Coriolis Effect Quiz
9 questions

Coriolis Effect Quiz

WellRunHydrogen avatar
WellRunHydrogen
Oceanography: Coriolis Effect and Currents
8 questions

Oceanography: Coriolis Effect and Currents

FormidableAestheticism avatar
FormidableAestheticism
Coriolis Effect and Fluid Circulation
5 questions

Coriolis Effect and Fluid Circulation

AccomplishedBixbite avatar
AccomplishedBixbite
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser